RDI Receives Renewed MAFRI, Receives $545,000 in Funding

March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012

Brandon, MB — The Rural Development Institute (RDI) has received renewed financial support from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI). On hand to accept the cheque were Dr. Scott Grills, Vice-President Academic and Provost of Brandon University, Dr. William Ashton, Director of RDI and representing the provincial government was Drew Caldwell, MLA for Brandon East. This five-year financial support from the province will help sustain Brandon University-based, RDI-driven research efforts.

“This five-year commitment to RDI’s funding from the provincial government provides necessary resources for the Institute to continue in its important work,” said Dr. Grills. “RDI leads and informs rural and community knowledge creation and application in Manitoba and with these new resources, it will bring its significant expertise to the ongoing needs of rural Manitobans.”

This funding and renewed partnership will enable RDI researchers to continue their work. As well, it will provide hands-on learning experiences and working opportunities for students within RDI projects. The research in turn is beneficial for MAFRI, rural communities and the province as a whole. RDI‘s main goal is to help strengthen rural and northern communities through research and the sharing of information pertaining to issues relevant to those particular communities.

“The five-year funding agreement will see the province invest a total of $545,000 to support RDI in providing valuable information to assist our rural communities,” said MAFRI Minister Ron Kostyshyn in a communiqué about the funding. “Recognizing and working to ensure rural issues are understood will help these communities grow and succeed.”

In his comments to the assembled crowd, Drew Caldwell, who represented Minister Kostyshyn at the event, expressed the underlying reason for this funding: Research is key to the future of rural Manitoba.

“RDI was established in 1989 and is a leader in research supporting rural development and community involvement,” said MLA Caldwell. “RDI is a nationally recognized centre of academic and applied research in the areas of community and rural development that is unparalleled in western Canada.”

This renewed funding commitment from the province will allow Dr. Ashton and his colleagues to develop long-range plans for the Institute along with maintaining research activities.
“The renewal of this multi-year agreement with MAFRI means the Rural Development Institute will continue to hear from experts, complete compelling research, distribute our findings widely, and assist students – the next generation of rural researchers,” said Dr. Ashton, director of RDI. -30-